Gravelle announces funding for tourism and family fun in NW Ontario

Written by Liberal Media on 05 March 2011

Celebrate Ontario Helps Festivals And Events In Thunder Bay-Superior North

March 4, 2011

“I’m delighted to announce this year’s funding which is designed not only to support fun activities for families, but to help local businesses. The goal is to help Northern festivals grow and attract more visitors, which in turn creates new jobs and generates more economic activity for our communities. I look forward to an exciting summer of great events!” MPP Michael Gravelle, Thunder Bay-Superior North

“We’re really excited about this support for Marathon’s SummerFest. This assistance will help create a wide range of activities and opportunities to promote our town, and create more economic benefits for Marathon and the region.” Mayor Rick Dumas, Town of Marathon

Ontario is helping festivals and events in Northwestern Ontario boost tourism, generate economic activity, welcome new visitors to the region, and support and create new local jobs.

MPP Michael Gravelle, Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced that three major events in his riding will receive a total of $65,000 in Celebrate Ontario funding this year to further enhance their programs and services to attract new audiences. The support helps generate more positive impacts on the hosting communities by increasing visitor spending and creating jobs.

This year’s recipients are:

Marathon SummerFest, July 1 – 10, 2011 – $32,000
- Schreiber Heritage Days, July 18 – 24, 2011 – $18,000
- The 9^th Annual “Live from the Rock “ Folk Festival, Aug. 5 – 7, 2011 (Red Rock) – $15,000

Last week, the province proposed changes to its liquor laws that would remove beer tent barriers at festivals. This would provide Ontarians with a more enjoyable experience at local events – enabling them to move freely with a beverage to participate in all the activities on site.

Festivals and events give visitors new reasons and ways to experience Ontario. They also provide Ontario families and visitors the opportunity to enjoy accessible and affordable activities. Celebrate Ontario supports the province’s Open Ontario Plan to strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for jobs and growth.

QUICK FACTS

Other changes to Ontario liquor laws also include: extending hours of special events from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. and making all-inclusive vacation packages available in Ontario.
Every year, festivals generate more than 22,000 jobs in Ontario.
Celebrate Ontario 2011 is providing $20 million to over 230 festivals and events. Since 2007, the province has invested $57 million through Celebrate Ontario to enhance almost 800 festivals and events.
In 2008 alone, tourism spending in Ontario was $22 billion and supported 300,000 jobs.

LEARN MORE

See a list of Celebrate Ontario 2011 recipients .
Are you an event organizer? There’s still time to apply for the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster category to bid on and host major one-time festivals and events. The deadline is June 7, 2011.
Read Celebrate Ontario success stories.
Discover travel experiences in Ontario.